What to Ask When Interviewing a Listing Agent to Sell Your Home
Selling your home is a big deal. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, choosing the right listing agent can make or break the process—not just financially, but emotionally, too.
If you’re interviewing agents to help you sell, here are the most important questions to ask (plus why they matter):
1. What’s your pricing strategy for my home?
A good agent should back their pricing recommendation with data, not guesswork. Ask how they determined the price—are they using comps? Have they analyzed local market trends? Overpricing can cause your home to sit on the market; underpricing can leave money on the table.
2. What’s included in your commission?
Not all agents offer the same level of service. Ask what you’re actually getting for their fee. Does it include professional photography? Staging advice? Marketing? Open houses? You’re not just hiring someone to list a home—you’re hiring someone to sell it.
3. How will you market my home?
Magnetic marketing matters. Ask how the agent will get eyeballs on your listing beyond the MLS. Do they use video? Social media ads? Email blasts? Strategic targeting? In a digital-first world, your agent’s marketing plan should be aggressive and intentional.
4. What do you recommend I do before listing?
The right agent will be honest here. Whether it’s decluttering, making repairs, or enhancing curb appeal, they should be able to guide you on what will move the needle—and what’s a waste of time and money.
5. How do you handle communication during the process?
Selling a home can be stressful. Ask how frequently they check in, how they’ll update you on feedback and showings, and how accessible they are by phone or text. You want a communicator, not a ghost.
6. Do you work with buyers too?
This gives insight into their range and perspective. Agents who actively work with buyers often understand what today’s buyers are really looking for—and how to position your home to appeal to them.
7. What’s your average days on market and list-to-sale price ratio?
Data speaks volumes. This shows whether the agent tends to get homes sold quickly and close to asking price—or if they’re in the habit of overpromising and then dropping the price later.
8. Do you ever represent both sides of the sale?
This is a big one. In Texas, agents are legally allowed to work as an intermediary—meaning they represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. While this might sound efficient, it means your agent no longer fully advocates for your best interests. Ask whether they practice intermediary or if they only represent you as the seller, start to finish.
9. What happens if my home doesn’t sell?
You want an agent with a Plan B. Will they re-evaluate pricing or adjust marketing? Do they offer alternative options (like cash offers)? Ask what happens if things don’t go as planned—and how they pivot.
Bonus: Ask for examples of past listings.
A solid agent should be able to show you past listings they’ve sold, complete with photos, marketing materials, and the final sales outcome. It’s one thing to talk the talk—it’s another to walk the walk.
Thinking About Selling in the Amarillo Area?
Let’s have a real conversation about what selling your home could look like—your goals, your timeline, and your options.
No pressure. No gimmicks. Just clear, honest info from a local Realtor who knows this market and knows how to get results.